New York (CNN) – Despite record election achievements by African-Americans in the House, the United States Senate will not have an African-American in its ranks.

All three black Senate candidates, Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Alvin Greene (D-SC) and Mike Thurmond (D-GA) are projected to lose tonight. The only incumbent black senator, Roland Burris (D-IL), is retiring.
Only six black senators have served: three Republicans and three Democrats, including the future President Barack Obama (D-IL).

There have been 118 voting members of Congress who are African-American. This year the GOP has 14 African-Americans on the ballot, any one of which could become the first black Republican in the house since 2003.

There are 41 African-American Democrats in Congress of which most are running in majority black districts. CNN projects Alabama sent its first African-American woman to Congress tonight with the election of Terri Sewell in the state's 7th district. She is a Democrat.

soundoff(297 Responses)

Diamond

That is because in every state or city where they are they have proven they are incompetent. Harrisburg, PA's mayor, Detroit's ex-mayor Kilpatrick, Obama, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y, are just to name a few. They have no idea what they are doing and most of them are crooks and criminals. They lie straight to your face and I have to say are more evil and better at lying than whites. Just google black politicians in trouble. They think they should not be under the same scrutiny of the media and courts as white politicians, but a criminal is a criminal regardless of race.

November 3, 2010 06:00 am at 6:00 am |

Kyle

Seriously. This has NOTHING to do with race. Soledad Obrien's job is to create racism where it doesn't exist.

November 3, 2010 06:01 am at 6:01 am |

Aloisae

Why is this an issue? There ARE NO SYSTEMIC BARRIERS to African Americans... or any other minority... seeking office these days and those pretending that it is anything but a benefit are just being divisive. However, race should not be a sufficient or necessary qualification any more. It honestly adds nothing to the ticket on its own. Diversity is worse than worthless if not backed up by substance.

November 3, 2010 06:05 am at 6:05 am |

Rick Hatfield

The race card is getting worn out. The President is black and A lot more white people voted for him than black people. I love black people! but jeez stop with the racists whitey is out to get me rants. Yes your ancestors were slaves sold by black people to white people. It was also a white republican, lincoln and many white soldiers that faught to free your ancestors. My ancestors are Cherokee on both sides of my family. So what. It is irrelavent in 2010 where a black man is the leader of the free world put there by white voters. You guys cling to your race like no other I see. BET? imagine someone starting WET, they would be called racists. You have tons of magazines and movie channels proudly dedicated to your race. I was in the military, im 100% disabled vet that lived in the barracks with many blacks who were some of my very best friends. In the millitary there is no black, white, brown. red or yellow. EVERYONE is OD GREEN and it was a great color blind community. We all respected each other, but we didnt wear out race on our sleeves. Is the NBA racist since 90% of its players are black? NO!!!!! The black players are just better. Why cant you accept that Americas diversity is its greatest strength. Stop tryiong to make it its greatest weakness. God bless.

November 3, 2010 06:08 am at 6:08 am |

Mike

Blacks already have thier set-aside in the White House and we see how well that's working out. Maybe if minorities thought more about what's best for the county and not just about their hypenated special interests, we could move into an new age where color, race, gender, etc. didn't matter.

November 3, 2010 06:08 am at 6:08 am |

mogdaork

Please this is just more crap to stir of arguing. Listen you all. Everything is someones fault. What happened to America where people worked hard and took responsability for themself ?

Ok so there are no African Americans in the senate ? not a big deal there are no Protestants in the Supreme Court ? There are no Asians on the Joint Chiefs os Staff ? If you want equal rights you have to be treated like a equal not given special rights because of the past. Americans look to the past for problems and the future for solutions what a joke we have become. Why are blacks in American allowed to push a race based agenda ?

November 3, 2010 06:27 am at 6:27 am |

Lorinda

This isn't surprising at all, my main concern is EDUCATION is going to take an even bigger hit across this nation, and here in Georgia big time. GOP doesn't like smart voters;-}!

November 3, 2010 06:36 am at 6:36 am |

yomama

people that dont like obama are stupid haters to me. Bush put us in a war just for some oil. Obama is trying as hard as he can.Give the man a break.Being racist is not cool!!!!!!!

November 3, 2010 06:48 am at 6:48 am |

lforlegend

In a racist nation like the USA, there may never be an African-American in congress again. They'll do whatever they can to prevent. We've all seen how people in this country vote even when it is not in their best interest, with a racist mentality.

November 3, 2010 07:04 am at 7:04 am |

Scott M

Yeah! It's because of racism! I mean, in my own district, NC13, African-American candidate Bill Randall lost his bid because a bunch of white racist Democrats can't handle the idea of a black man in federal office! Democrats are so racist I can't stand it! If Democrats aren't going to vote Republican candidates into office just because they are black, it shows how bad things are in America.

Yeah...

Oh, and to this Corey character who said there have been no black Republicans in the House ever? Let's start with Joseph Rainey, the first African-American to serve in the House. Corey is a prime of example of why ignorant people should stay off the internet. I'm not sure if his lack of knowledge is due to his poor government school education or simply his stupidity.

November 3, 2010 07:09 am at 7:09 am |

sharecropper

When will CNN and this Soledad person get over the hateful race baiting. That's really disgusting.

November 3, 2010 07:14 am at 7:14 am |

AJ

Upset that there aren't blanks in the Senate? If you're black, here's your chance! Run on a platform that promotes common sense economics and small, sustainable government. Then I'll vote for you!!!

November 3, 2010 07:20 am at 7:20 am |

frustrated

leave it to Soledad to completely miss the point and play the race card

November 3, 2010 07:36 am at 7:36 am |

Candice

This is sooo sad...

November 3, 2010 07:39 am at 7:39 am |

MAX

Leave it to cnn to bring up the race card, the affimative action president didnt work out to well now did he ?

November 3, 2010 07:41 am at 7:41 am |

I AM Ashamed!!!

After reading all of the responses and seeing the hate, bigotry and racism in this country I am ashamed for America. This isnt the land of the free, this is the land of the hate. And this is why all of the other countries dont want to support us. This land was supposed to be built on the sayin of all men are created equal, BS if you ask me. Republicans in southern Missouri were taught on racisim, remember this. Martin Luther King Jr fought hard for equal rights and this is what our current president gets. Shamefull! After 2012 there will NEVER be a President of a different race other than white.

November 3, 2010 07:51 am at 7:51 am |

yomammy

just ANOTHER CNN "news" article created to divide us even more.

November 3, 2010 07:51 am at 7:51 am |

Kevin

Way to play the race card, CNN. You had to point it out right, you just couldn't let the people talk....you had to be sure you kicked the bee hive....

November 3, 2010 07:53 am at 7:53 am |

Jonesey

Unfortunately, color does matter in America. That is just the way it has been, is, and will continue to be! More importantly, African Americans should continue to strive for higher education and post graduate training. When political parties state, "we want our country back," I know from who and why. They have sent a powerful message. If you are uneducated and untrained as a minority, YOU are in serious trouble!

November 3, 2010 07:54 am at 7:54 am |

Keith

If all the white folks agree at 4:00pm this afternoon to collectively say out loud that we are deeply, deeply ashamed of our white heritage will the black folks “lighten-up”? Get it? Lighten –up. Now THAT’S a pun!

November 3, 2010 07:58 am at 7:58 am |

Anne

I believe people vote for the best candidate, not on the skin color.
Come on, USA elected a black President, that should be enough demonstration that we do not care about your race but about your ideas.

November 3, 2010 08:02 am at 8:02 am |

jon

Why do you even write these articles cnn? Ok, no african american's in the senate when there were only three candidates? The news makes everything into some racist argument. Cnn you're turning into fox news.